Disclaimer: There are wild plants and fungi in the UK that are poisonous. Do not eat any wild edible that has not been positively identified. All edible mushrooms must be cooked. Do not use this site as your only source of information. Check the law before picking any wild plant. Nothing on this site is meant to encourage you to break any laws.

HopHumulus lupulus

Photo by Hagen Graebner

Hop is best known for its use in the brewing of beer. The name ‘Hop’ is derived from the Anglo-Saxon ‘Hoppan’, which means to climb. This is indicative of the plants climbing nature. ‘Lupulus’ is Latin for small wolf. This name is owed to Hop’s tendency to strangle and kill other plants like a wolf kills sheep.

Where to find it:

Hedge rows

Scrub land

Woodland edges

Appearance:

Cone shaped fruits

Toothed leaves, 3-5 lobes

To eat:

Shoots should be picked when young. These shoots can be chopped and added to soups and omelettes.

DandelionTaraxacum officinale

Photo by Greg Hume

This common weed is familiar to everyone. Found throughout gardens and fields, Dandelion has historically been used to treat infections and also used as a diuretic. Dandelion leaves are high in vitamin C, iron and calcium and can be consumed in a number of ways.

Where to find it:

Gardens

Fields

Road sides

Appearance:

Yellow flower

Hollow stems

Long toothed leaves

To eat:

Dandelion leaves can be used in sandwiches and salads. The roots can also be cooked and eaten after being washed thoroughly.

HawthornCrataegus monogyna

Photo by Elstro

This common red berried plant was historically used to separate fields. ‘Haw’ hails from the old English for hedge. It is believed to remedy cardiovascular issues. Its young leaves and flowers grow during Spring whilst its berries grow during Autumn.

Where to find it:

Woods

Heaths

Hedge rows

Appearance:

White blossom flowers

Red berries

Thorned branches and stems

To eat:

Young leaves can be eaten raw and have a nutty flavour. This makes them go well with nuts and salads. Berries can be used to make jellies by simmering them alongside crab apples to separate the juices.

BistortPolygonum bistoria

Photo by Hans Hillewaert

This herbaceous perennial may be more familiar under names such as Passion Dock or Easter Mangiant. Both of these names indicate the time of year it came into use. Passion Dock referring to Passion tide, and Easter Mangiant to Easter. ‘Passion’ and ‘Easter’ being relevant to its inclusion in Easter puddings in parts of northern England. Its genus ‘Polygonum’ hails from Greek meaning ‘many joints’ in reference to its multi jointed stem, while ‘Bistort’ refers to its twisted roots. Bistort roots are used in medicines to help with digestion and inflammation.

Where to find it:

Stream banks

Road sides

Damp areas

Mountains

Appearance:

Up to 70cm tall

Jointed stalk

Hairless stem

Raceme of small pink flowers

To eat:

Young leaves can be used in salads and are a good source of vitamin A and C. For use in Easter pudding, chop and add young leaves to a mixture of other leaves such as nettles, dock or dandelion. Oatmeal is added for binding as well as beaten egg. Other eggs can be hard boiled and chopped. Salt and pepper is added to flavour.

Stinging nettleUrtica dioica

by Uwe H. Friese, Bremerhaven 2003

Stinging nettles have historically been used as food, medicine and used to make fibre. Its high in protein and iron and its taste is similar to spinach. ‘Urtica’ is derived from the Latin word for sting, whilst ‘Dioica’ is derived from Greek, meaning ‘of two homes’.

Where to find it:

Hedge banks

Field edges

Woodland

Wasteland

Appearance:

Heart shaped leaves

Covered in stinging hairs

To eat:

During and after its flowering stage, nettles can form crystalline particles called cystoliths. These cystoliths can taste bitter, and can also irritate the urinary tract. For this reason it’s best to harvest nettles when young, particularly during late February to early June. Nettles can be wilted over a fire and consumed like marshmallows. They can be added to soups or its leaves can be dried and strained to make tea.

Fairy-Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

Photo by Strobilomyces

Fairy-Ring Champignon gets its name from the ‘fairy rings’ it grows in. It is very common and often found growing on lawns. Its culinary use is popular due to its sweet taste. Caution must be taken to distinguish Fairy-Ring Champignon from the poisonous Clitocybe species. Clitocybes are distinguishable by their lack of an ‘umbo’, which is a raised point in the middle of the cap.

Where to find it:

Lawns

Grassland

Appearance:

2-5cm cap

Bump in centre of cap

Pale tan colour

Wide gills

To eat:

Add to stews or casseroles. Caps can be preserved by drying them out, then soaked in water to reconstitute them.

Sea beetBeta vulgaris

Photo by Maneerke Bloem

Sea beet is a plant found around the coastline of most of the UK. It is an ancestor of beetroot, and can be used in the same way. Its leaves can be eaten raw and are said to taste and have a texture similar to spinach.

Where to find it:

Coastlines

Shingle

Cliffs

Appearance:

Large fleshy leaves

Green spiky flowers along the stem

Up to 1m tall

To eat:

Smaller leaves can be used in salads. Larger leaves should be boiled until they turn dark green.

Sweet VioletViola Odorata

Photo by Kjetil Lenes

Sweet Violet’s pleasant fragrance has led to its inclusion in the ingredients of perfumes. Some believe Sweet Violet to have medicinal qualities relating to skin disorders and respiratory issues. It was historically used decoratively to dress meat

Where to find it:

Woodland edges

Gardens

Hedge banks

Appearance:

Violet or white flowers

Rounded leaves

To eat:

Leaves can be used in salads. The flowers are also edible and were historically used to dress meat, favoured for their decorative qualities.